SanlamAllianz General Insurance Plc is seeking to recruit a highly skilled, self-driven, and experienced professional to fill the position of Head of Information Technology (Head of IT).

The position reports directly to the Chief Executive Officer. The Head of IT will be responsible for leading the technology strategy, managing infrastructure, and overseeing cybersecurity and digital transformation initiatives within the insurance company. This role ensures that IT systems and processes align with business objectives, regulatory requirements, and industry’s best practices. The Head of IT will oversee IT operations, manage teams, implement innovative solutions, and ensure the security and reliability of all technology systems.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

IT Strategy & Leadership

• Develop and execute an IT strategy that aligns with the company’s business objectives.
• Lead, mentor, and manage the IT team to ensure high performance and professional growth.
• Stay updated with emerging technologies and trends in the insurance industry.
• Collaborate closely with senior leadership and take the lead on driving innovation and transformation using digital tools and technologies.

1. IT Infrastructure & System Management

• Oversee the implementation, maintenance, and enhancement of IT infrastructure.
• Ensure the availability, security, and reliability of core insurance applications, including policy administration, claims processing, and underwriting systems.
• Manage cloud and on-premises IT environments, ensuring scalability and resilience.
• Ensure efficient IT service management (ITSM) and support employees and business functions.

2. Cybersecurity & Compliance

• Implement and maintain cybersecurity policies to protect company data and IT assets.
• Ensure compliance with data protection laws, industry regulations, and IT governance frameworks (e.g., GDPR, ISO 27001).
• Conduct regular risk assessments and audits to identify and mitigate vulnerabilities.
• Establish data governance policies to ensure secure and ethical data usage.

3. Digital Transformation & Innovation

• Lead digital initiatives to enhance operational efficiency and customer experience.
• Drive the adoption of InsurTech solutions, automation, AI, and data analytics.
• Oversee the development and optimization of customer-facing digital platforms, such as web portals and mobile applications.
• Ensure seamless integration of new technologies with existing insurance systems.

3. IT Budgeting & Vendor Management

• Develop and manage the IT budget, ensuring cost-effective investments.
• Oversee procurement and vendor relationships for IT software, hardware, and services.
• Negotiate contracts with technology providers to ensure service quality and compliance.

4. IT Support & Business Continuity.

• Ensure efficient IT support services for employees and business operations.
• Develop and maintain disaster recovery and business continuity plans.
• Implement backup and recovery strategies to safeguard critical business data.

5. Qualifications and Experience

The successful candidate must have:

• Have a bachelor’s degree in information technology, computer science, or a related field, with a master’s degree preferred.
• At least three years of experience working in managerial position as a senior manager related to Information Technology.
• Experience in the insurance or financial services industry is highly preferred.
• Proficient understanding of IT infrastructure and cybersecurity, cloud systems and enterprise level systems.
• Comfortable with insurance tech platforms like systems for managing policies and claims.
• Having knowledge of data protection and financial regulation norms is important.
• Experience managing IT budgets, vendors, and digital transformation projects.

Key Skills and Competencies

• Strategic Thinking: Ability to align IT strategy with business goals.
• Leadership & Team Management: Proven ability to lead and mentor IT teams.
• Cybersecurity & Risk Management: Strong understanding of data security best practices.
• Project Management: Experience in leading IT projects from planning to execution.
• Problem-Solving: Analytical mindset to identify and resolve IT challenges.
• Communication Skills: Ability to communicate complex IT concepts to non-technical stakeholders.

Additional Knowledge & Technical Skills

• General insurance industry knowledge.
• Programming skills
• Proficiency in Oracle and SQL.
• Report writing expertise

• Develop and execute an IT strategy that aligns with the company’s business objectives.
• Lead, mentor, and manage the IT team to ensure high performance and professional growth.
• Stay updated with emerging technologies and trends in the insurance industry.
• Collaborate closely with senior leadership and take the lead on driving innovation and transformation using digital tools and technologies.
• Oversee the implementation, maintenance, and enhancement of IT infrastructure.
• Ensure the availability, security, and reliability of core insurance applications, including policy administration, claims processing, and underwriting systems.
• Manage cloud and on-premises IT environments, ensuring scalability and resilience.
• Ensure efficient IT service management (ITSM) and support employees and business functions.
• Implement and maintain cybersecurity policies to protect company data and IT assets.
• Ensure compliance with data protection laws, industry regulations, and IT governance frameworks (e.g., GDPR, ISO 27001).
• Conduct regular risk assessments and audits to identify and mitigate vulnerabilities.
• Establish data governance policies to ensure secure and ethical data usage.
• Lead digital initiatives to enhance operational efficiency and customer experience.
• Drive the adoption of InsurTech solutions, automation, AI, and data analytics.
• Oversee the development and optimization of customer-facing digital platforms, such as web portals and mobile applications.
• Ensure seamless integration of new technologies with existing insurance systems.
• Develop and manage the IT budget, ensuring cost-effective investments.
• Oversee procurement and vendor relationships for IT software, hardware, and services.
• Negotiate contracts with technology providers to ensure service quality and compliance.
• Ensure efficient IT support services for employees and business operations.
• Develop and maintain disaster recovery and business continuity plans.
• Implement backup and recovery strategies to safeguard critical business data.

• Strategic Thinking: Ability to align IT strategy with business goals.
• Leadership & Team Management: Proven ability to lead and mentor IT teams.
• Cybersecurity & Risk Management: Strong understanding of data security best practices.
• Project Management: Experience in leading IT projects from planning to execution.
• Problem-Solving: Analytical mindset to identify and resolve IT challenges.
• Communication Skills: Ability to communicate complex IT concepts to non-technical stakeholders.
• General insurance industry knowledge.
• Programming skills
• Proficiency in Oracle and SQL.
• Report writing expertise

• Have a bachelor’s degree in information technology, computer science, or a related field, with a master’s degree preferred.
• At least three years of experience working in managerial position as a senior manager related to Information Technology.
• Experience in the insurance or financial services industry is highly preferred.
• Proficient understanding of IT infrastructure and cybersecurity, cloud systems and enterprise level systems.
• Comfortable with insurance tech platforms like systems for managing policies and claims.
• Having knowledge of data protection and financial regulation norms is important.
• Experience managing IT budgets, vendors, and digital transformation projects.